Count Your Blessings

As I write this, early morning sunshine streams through my sailboat’s pilothouse windows. Sailor-Man has already left for our ministry office, and I am alone. All is quiet but for the sound of birds chirping. Theirs is a happy song, and it lifts my spirits. It reminds me of Matthew 6:25-27—

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”

Humanly speaking, global goings-on give us plenty to worry about today.

I watch grocery bills and gas prices skyrocket (it’s now $2.20/liter or nearly $10/gallon where I live) and wonder what the future holds. Personal stresses add to the load we carry. Broken relationships, financial uncertainties, health issues, and more weigh on us. How easily we can lose hope and fall into despair. Been there, done that. Don’t want to do that again.

This morning I woke carrying concerns for which I’ve prayed and prayed without receiving answers. I have no idea when the breakthroughs will come or what they’ll look like when they do, but this I know—worrying about these things in the meantime won’t fix them.

As the birds sing this morning, a song of a different sort pops into my mind. I recall the lyrics, and they encourage me to focus not on my concerns but on my blessings instead. May I share this song with you?

Count Your Blessings – Written by Johnson Oatman

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, ev’ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by. [Refrain]

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings, money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high. [Refrain]

So, amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end. [Refrain]

Today I will count my blessings.

The list begins with acknowledging God’s love. It’s perfect, and His intent toward me is good. Therefore, I can trust Him and not be afraid.

Will you join me in counting our blessings? Let’s link hands on this journey and encourage each other by declaring at least one blessing in the comment section.

Have a wonderful day, my friend. Take a moment to listen to “Count Your Blessings,” and know you are loved.

#bgbg2